Report: Hamas Terror Activity in Gaza

Published on: July 22, 2014

As the IDF continues its operation to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, Hamas continues to implement inhumane measures against Israeli and Palestinian civilians. On a daily basis, Hamas commits war crimes and ignores threats to human life in Gaza.

The IDF launched Operation Protective Edge to combat Hamas’ rocket fire and its use of tunnels to attack Israelis. Throughout the operation, Hamas has shown its true face, committing war crimes against Israel and endangering its own people. Here are just a few examples:

Firing rockets at the civilian population

Since July 8, Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations have fired over 1,840 rockets at Israel. This rocket fire is aimed at civilians. It targets Israeli cities and communities, with the objective of killing civilians.

Hamas has fired rockets at Israel’s largest cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. The organization does not distinguish between military targets and civilians. It sees the entire Israeli population as a legitimate target.

A rocket fired by Hamas destroyed this house in Yehud, Israel 22/7/2014

“A strong people” written in Arabic–word play on the name Hebrew name of Operation Protective Edge–encouraging Palestinians in Gaza to stand on the roofs of their homes to act as human shields.

Attempted massacres in Israeli communities

On Saturday, July 19, a squad of Hamas terrorists climbed out of a tunnel near the Israeli community of Sufa, a few kilometers from the Gaza border. The terrorists, who were heavily armed, planned to enter a Kibbutz and carry out a massacre. IDF forces stopped the infiltrators and prevented the terror attack.

Weapons Found in Sufa Massacre Attempt

On Monday, July 21, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel through a second tunnel. They entered Israeli territory one kilometer away from the city of Sderot. Their plan was to kill Israeli civilians, but IDF forces stopped their attack.

Using ambulances for terror activity

On Thursday, July 17, a Hamas terrorist in Gaza ran into an ambulance when an IDF aircraft targeted him. The IDF called off the strike so as to not hit the ambulance. The terrorist was using the ambulance and its staff to protect himself.

Rigging civilian homes with explosives

On Saturday, July 19, IDF soldiers found a civilian home in Gaza rigged with Hamas explosives.

Hiding weapons near civilians

Hamas hides its weapons close to civilians. The objective is to shield its weapons from IDF strikes, making them much more difficult for the IDF to target. Hamas places weapons storage facilities, rocket launchers, and rocket manufacturing centers in the middle of Palestinian neighborhoods. Many of its assets are located inside homes, schools and mosques.

Weapons and Ammunition Found in Gaza Tunnel

Grad rocket launcher found in a Gazan school

Terror tunnel near a house in Gaza

On Thursday, July 17, twenty Hamas rockets were found in a school belonging to UNRWA in Gaza. “(The incident) endangered civilians including staff and put at risk UNRWA’s vital mission to assist and protect Palestinian refugees in Gaza,” the UN commented.

On July 10, the IDF targeted a rocket launching site located in the middle of a Gaza neighborhood. The strike caused a large secondary explosion, proving that rockets and explosives were being held near civilian institutions.

Firing from within the civilian population

Hamas fires rockets at Israel from within populated areas. This strategy is meant to prevent the IDF from striking Hamas terrorists and infrastructure. The terrorist organization also fires at IDF forces from civilian areas using short-range arms.